Do you watch any reality shows? Which do you recommend?

Do you think another network - DirecTV 101 - will pick up "Terriers"?

Hi Mo,

I've heard a lot about Parks and Recreation being one of the best comedies out there, even though it has a mediocre first season.

I don't like not watching every episode in a series, but in this case, do you think Season 1 is bad enough to do it? Does Season 2 makes the relationships and plotlines set up by Season 1, known to the new viewer?

Thanks

Mo,

Would also like to know what new shows in 2011 you know about or are coming up. I am excited about Alcatraz because of Jorge Garcia and JJ.

Also would love to know how you got started being a TV critic. Consider it your own LOST flashback episode.

Originally posted a bit late on the last post asking for questions:

Hi Mo! So I was thinking recently about all of the great TV that I'm watching this fall (Terriers, Community, and Fringe are probably my favorites right now) and realized the incredible lack of good shows on television with interesting female leads (and no, I don't count as "lead" a woman whose primary reason for existing on the show is as the love interest to the male protagonist who the show is really about) and representations of female community. Even with a show like Sons of Anarchy where there are complex, strong female characters, they exist in a show that is premised on a male-centric world. Olivia on Fringe might be an exception, but even there, both Olivias are operating in communities that are essentially male.

A friend who teaches film theory recently introduced me to the Bechdel test. While this couldn't be applied in the same way to TV as to movies (some weeks female characters will interact more than others), it is interesting to think about in regards to TV. I'm thinking about the scene in the season finale of Mad Men when Joan and Peggy share a scene reacting to the revelation of Don's engagement and how satisfying that scene felt (and even then, they're talking about a man).

Don't get me wrong; I love all of the "boy shows" that I've mentioned above or I wouldn't be watching them. Female presence and complexity is by no means a measure of a show's quality. And, as always, there are exceptions; this is more the sense of a trend than an across-the-board judgment. I guess my question is, where have the Veronica Mars's gone?

What are the criteria for a successful UK show to be screened on US TV in its original format rather than as a remake?

To put it another way how come Luther and Sherlock got shown while Shameless and Skins got shoved through the same script new cast machine that's about to be sent up by Episodes?

One of my current favorite shows is Fringe, and I think it's kind of fun when they try to include some real science to ground the science fiction. However, as a chemist, it drives me slightly crazy when they get the details wrong. I also have similar reactions when watching shows like Bones or Castle (and it probably occurs on those CSI-like shows).

I realize it's silly and nitpicky to care that much, but I was wondering if you could offer any insight for how it works for Fringe and other sci-fi shows on the science front. Do they have a consultant, or are they randomly latching onto ideas they see and making up what they don't know?

Any new shows you are looking forward to next year? Does next year in TV look more promising than this year? Do you think The Event will be cancelled? Any news on The Good Guys returning for a second season? I know it will be unlikely

Mo, you know I'm a huge fan of Supernatural and will continue to watch it as long as it is on the air. (I'm loyal that way, lol.) Is it unreasonable of me to want it to end after a strong sixth season (a la BSG) rather than see it become a shadow of itself (a la Veronica Mars)? I guess this is the end date question, just about a specific show instead of in general.

Have you heard any rumors about two of my favorite actors, Enver Gjokaj and Jason Dohring, making a return to t.v. any time soon?

Are you as excited about Game of Thrones next year as I am?